Firebirds Edged Out 3-2 by No.12 Ranked Gannon in Overtime

Erie, Pa- The University of the District of Columbia's men's soccer team went toe-to-toe with the No. 12 ranked Gannon University in what turned out to be an intense match-up. The game-winning goal came down to a penalty kick taken by the Golden Warriors with just seconds left in overtime to finish 3-2.  

Gannon managed to score early in the first half to put the Golden Warriors in the lead 1-0, but a kick from the corner of the field by Michel Egbame got sent straight to the back of the net by freshman Ignacio Pericet with a strong header to tie the game 1-1. This was Pericet's first goal of his career as a Firebird. Building on the momentum they had garnered UDC went on to lead Gannon 2-1 for the rest of the half, after a clutch goal from Joseluiz Avalos.

Gannon came out of half-time with the same energy they had at the beginning to score just seconds into the second half, tying the game 2-2. With tensions high on both sides, a series of yellow cards were given out, two for UDC, and three for Gannon. Both teams fought and by the end of regulation, the score was still tied at 2-2 forcing the game into overtime.

With ten minutes on the clock, both teams hustled to get to that game-winning goal. Gannon outshot UDC 2-1 but no one was able to get the ball to connect to the back of the net. At the 99^th minute, a foul was called on Ioannis Kiotsekoglou giving the Golden Warriors a chance at a penalty kick, which they scored to win the game 3-2.

UDC (0-4, 0-0) will host their first home game on Wednesday, September 15, against Slippery Rock. The game is slated to start at 12:00 pm.